The Tour du Faudé from Orbey

The start of this walk is at the car park on Rue Charles de Gaulle, near the “Au Bois le Sire” hotel.

(S/E) From the car park, cross the Weisbach and turn left into Rue du Faudé (signposted for Lac Blanc and Munster). On the right-hand pavement, after about 150 m, look out for a path running parallel to the road, identifiable by a flight of steps and access for people with reduced mobility.

Signposting: Red Ring and Blue Ring

(1) Take this path, which runs alongside a wall and leads to a dead end. Continue to the first junction and turn right onto Rue du Faudé. (Sign: ‘No entry except for residents’ and Red Ring). Follow this small road, which quickly becomes a path. After a few bends, you’ll come to a fork.

Signposting: Blue Ring

(2) Turn right and head towards a bend in the road. Follow it on the left for a few metres until you reach a Fork in the road near a stadium. See Practical Information.

Markings: Red Ring

(3) Take the track on the right and follow the sign for Lapoutroie. Continue along this forest track until you reach the hamlet of Le Bâa. After passing the houses, stay on the Le Bâa track for a further 150 metres or so. Look out for the start of a path on the left.

Unmarked

(4) Turn left onto the ascending path. Continue until you reach another junction. Keep heading west along a path that descends towards a small farm after a bend to the north. Walk for about 80 m past this building to join a path on the left.

Signposting: Blue Disc

(5) Turn southwards into a fairly steep meadow, follow a hedge to emerge behind the “Les Alisiers” hotel. Follow the road, keeping a southerly course. At the end of the road, head for a ruined building. See Practical Information

(6) Head due south, skirting the ruined shed on your right; you’ll soon come out onto the Grand Faudé spiral track. Follow this track to the Roche du Chat Noir (a viewpoint, but also home to some antennas). Turn back and, at the Fork in the road, take the right-hand branch. Carry on to another junction and turn right (towards Tour du Faudé, Red Ring and Blue Ring). After 80 metres, look out for a direct path on the left.

Markings: Red Ring and Red Triangle.

(7) Turn left onto the direct path. Cut across two loops of the spiral track, reaching the Tour du Faudé, which comes into view as you climb.

Signposting: Red Ring.

(8) Enjoy the panoramic view from the top of the tower. Make the most of the viewing platform, equipped with picnic tables, for a well-deserved break. Begin the descent on the western side via a fairly steep path. Cross the spiral track twice. Walk to the edge of the woodland just before the Petit Faudé car park. Turn left, following the sign for Roche du Chat Noir (Blue Disc). Return almost to the Fork in the Road at Roche du Chat Noir.

Signposting: Red Triangle and Blue Disc.

(9) About 40 m before the Fork in the road, look out for a path signposted ‘Orbey’. Descend to a sports ground, go round it along a small road to reach a crossroads near some small bungalows. Take the ‘Orbey Centre’ path (Blue Disc), then leave it at the first junction. Take the path on the left, which leads back towards the hairpin bends used on the ascent.

(2) Return to the car park by following the route in reverse (S/E).

Stadiums: there are two stadiums; do not confuse them. At point (3) you will pass close to the first stadium. Between (8) and (9) you will go round another stadium.

(6) A brief explanation for this point: When you reach the end of the small tarmac road, you will find a house on your right. The IGN map shows a path on the right turning at a 90° angle, but this cannot be found; the area appears to be abandoned and overgrown. However, if you keep heading south, a path emerges, passing close to a ruined shed (on your right), and does indeed lead to the track.

? Sturdy walking shoes.

See the Club Vosgien’s signposting

- Orbey.
- La Roche du Chat Noir: a viewpoint, but also some antennae.
- La Tour du Faudé – see its history.
- Lapoutroie.